Nearly a month has passed since Thomas Matthew Crooks made an attempt on former President Donald Trump's life at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally. 

Crooks fired several shots at Trump and into the crowd of attendees at the rally, ultimately injuring several, including Trump, and killing one of the rallygoers.

Questions still remain about Crooks' motives, his past, and the gross security failures that led to Trump almost losing his life after taking a bullet through the ear, which easily could have been through his skull.

According to The Hill, new reports emerged this week regarding Crooks' school life, with one former classmate claiming that Crooks failed to make his high school's shooting team because he "wasn't a safe fit."

What happened?

NewsNation’s Rich McHugh spoke with Max Shrager, one of Crooks' former classmates, who recalled why Crooks failed to make the shooting team.

"I do know he tried out for the rifle team," Shrager said. "He didn’t make it onto the team. From what I’ve heard, he was not a good shot."

Max Shrager, a former classmate of would-be Trump assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks, says Crooks didn't make their school's rifle team and was apparently "not a safe fit." Shrager speaks exclusively with NewsNation's @RichMcHugh. pic.twitter.com/wPXz9p1iJN

— NewsNation (@NewsNation) August 3, 2024

When asked what he thought Crooks' motive was behind the attempt on Trump's life, Shrager couldn't pinpoint it, but compared Crooks to the shooter who tried to kill John Lennon in 1980.

"I don’t like this word, but he was described as a nobody. Wanted to make a name for himself. Wanted some kind of publicity. I feel like Crooks, that might (also) have been the case," Shrager said, referencing Lennon shooter Mark David Chapman.

Notably, Shrager indicated that Crooks wasn't particular outspoken on the subject of politics, but claimed Crooks had a "conservative air" about him.

The Hill noted:

The shooter’s parents have been cooperating with law enforcement. They told investigators the 20-year-old gunman didn’t appear to have friends or political leanings, a law enforcement official told CNN.

Employer releases statement

The shooter was a dietary aide at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The organization released a statement on the situation after the shooting.

"We are shocked and saddened to learn of his involvement as Thomas Matthew Crooks performed his job without concern and his background check was clean," Marcie Grimm, the administrator for the center. "We are fully cooperating with law enforcement officials at this time. Due to the ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further on any specifics. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Former President Trump and the victims impacted by this terrible tragedy. We condemn all acts of violence."

Undoubtedly, as the investigation continues, Crooks' past will play a key role in determining why he did what he did.